Bilchitz

Emerging from national pasts marred by violence, conflict, and injustice, South African and Colombian societies have sought to establish futures founded on equality, democracy, and constitutionalism. Transitional Justice, Distributive Justice, and Transformative Constitutionalism: Comparing Colombia and South Africa offers the first dedicated scholarly comparison of the two countries in relation to the intersecting ideas of transitional justice, distributive justice, and transformative constitutionalism. Featuring contributions by Colombian and South African authors, this volume richly examines each country from a range of thematic perspectives as the basis for deep reflection and comparison between them. Transitional Justice, Distributive Justice, and Transformative Constitutionalism brings together three interconnected concepts: the need for redress of past historical wrongs, the imperative to ensure fairness in the distribution of resources, and the commitment to law-governed socia

Corporations can significantly affect the fundamental rights of individuals. This book investigates how to determine the substantive content of their obligations that emanate from these rights. In doing so, it addresses important conceptual issues surrounding fundamental rights. From an investigation of existing legal models, a clear structural similarity surfaces in how courts make decisions about corporate obligations. The book seeks to systematise, justify and develop this emergent 'multi-factoral approach' through examining key factors for determining the substantive content of corporate obligations. The book defends the use of the proportionality test for ascertaining corporations' negative obligations and outlines a novel seven-step test for determining their positive obligations. The book finally proposes legal and institutional reforms - on both the national and international levels - designed to enhance the quality of decision-making surrounding corporate obligations, and embe

To what extent should the doctrine of the separation of powers evolve in light of recent shifts in constitutional design and practice? New constitutions often include newer forms of rights – such as s

This book addresses the pressing issue of severe poverty and inequality, and questions why violations of socio-economic rights are treated with less urgency than violations of civil and political rights, such as the right to freedom of speech or to vote? Socio-economic rights have been widely regarded as aspirational goals, rhetorically useful, but having few practical implications for government policy and the distribution of resources within a polity. It is not therefore surprising that socio-economic rights have been systematically neglected in the world today, with millions still lacking access to even basic shelter, food or health care. This book seeks to provide a sustained argument for placing renewed emphasis upon socio-economic rights in the fight against desperate poverty. It utilizes a combination of political philosophy, constitutional law, and public policy in its focus on the right to food, to housing, and to health care. Part I involves the development of a philosophi